Q: Volkswagen Beetle?
Anyone who owns or has owned a Volkswagen Beetle, what is your experience with reliability and what’s the average MPG?

I always wanted a bug but couldn’t afford one when I was looking for my first car. Everyone told me what great cars they are and how long they last, I finally bought a 2001 Beetle which I love driving. I stumbled across some old reviews and they don’t look to great. What do you think?

A: I have a ‘98 2.0L New Beetle that I love – named her Ladybug.
She’s very reliable, a great giggle to drive, and getting 34MPG these days. 30MPG if I drive HARD. You should check out my favorite free New Beetle community site. It’s http://newbeetle.org
I’ve learned so much from the nice people there over the years! There’s owners from all over the world, learning, showing off their NBs, or just hanging out. Hope to see you there

Q: How much does a Used Volkswagen beetle cost?
I want to buy a Volkswagen beetle for my first car. Of course it has to be used! What I really want is a light blue convertible beetle, but that probably won’t happen! So, I was wondering how much a 2004,2005, or 2006 beetle might cost?

A: The price will be different depending on where you live. Check the newspaper ads in your area for the best idea of what a used VW will cost. You will usually get a lower price from a private seller but you can’t pay it off over time that way (and no warranty of course).

Also, you can look for one on Craigslist in your city. Ebay lets you set your search limits to within 50 miles of your town, so you could look there for one, too.

Good luck!! : )

Q: How do I install the Volkswagen Beetle wiring cover?
I bought a wiring cover for my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. The cover is a piece of plastic that installs across the rear of the trunk to protect the wires and the interior of the dash. There are two sets of metal tangs on top, but how do I use them to secure it if that is what they’re used for and 2, how do I secure it to the floor of the trunk?

A: I had a 1969 Beetle. I had to fabricate a little piece of flexible metal strapping to hold mine in place. It was firm enough to hold teh plastic up, yet allow it to be removed when I needed access to the electrical.
I also replaced the chrome VW hood emblem, so I took the old one and drilled some holes in my wire cover so that I could mount the old emblem. It looked cool!
Good Luck and Happy Buggin’!

Q: What cables attach to the battery for a Volkswagen Beetle?
There are three different cables that attach to the Volkswagen Beetle (1970) battery, with two to the positive terminal and one to the negative. Where do these cables attach from there? And what is the chassis to transmission strap?

A: The big red cable goes to the starter. The other goes to the regulator. The black cable goes to the floor pan. There is another cable (woven metal strap) under the car that connects the transmisson housing to the floor pan.

Q: How many miles per gallon does a 2005 turbo volkswagen beetle get?
I am looking into purchasing a used 2005 volkswagen turbo beetle, and although the dealership claims that it gets 36 mpg, I have trouble believing it. Does anybody know what its actual gas milage is?

A: I have owned two New Beetles, both were/are non-turbos, and the best gas mileage I got was 32. I drive like a grandma, seriously. I would expect to get around 25. Unless of course you are talking about a diesel, in which case I would expect 35 to 45, depending.

Q: What is the Wagner Dot used for in a Volkswagen Beetle?
A two prong cylindrical piece is connected to some wires in y 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. The writing on it appears to say “wagner dot.”
Where do these wires connect, where does the mechanism go, and what does it do?

A: Wagner is the manufacturer, DOT means it is Department of Transportation approved. It’s either a head light relay, possibly a flasher for turn and 4 ways (I doubt it they usually have more prongs and are square), or they key in ignition/seatbelt buzzer. If high and low beam headlights work and turnsignals work, it’s the buzzer. The buzzer is annoying when it works.

Q: How much would a paint job cost on a volkswagen beetle?
I really would like to buy a volkswagen beetle.
I saw a white one for a good price.
How much would it cost to paint it light pink the whole car.?

A: To have a quality shop do it around $1500 Without a lot of body work.

Q: How do I remove the dash switches on an old air cooled Volkswagen Beetle?
How do I remove the dash switches on an old air cooled Volkswagen Beetle?
I need to rewire the switches on my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle, and am trying to remove the switches from the dash. Is there anyway to remove the knobs without damaging them, and if so, how do I remove the switch one the knob is off?

A: Got to get at it from the back side of the dash board.

Q: How much would it cost to have an convertible top installed on a Volkswagen beetle?
I just got my volkswagen beetle.It;’s a 2000.And I want to have a covertible top installed.How much would it run me approximately?

A: Much more money than the car is worth….

You’re talking about converting it, right?

Q: Is it difficult to get repairs done on a new Volkswagen beetle?
I want to get a new Volkswagen beetle (preferably a 2000-2003 model). But my uncle says that is is very hard to get work/repairs done on them. I don’t know if this is true, but it kinda seems unlikely. But I need some legit proof that this is either true or not true. Thanks!

A: if the mechanics you go to only know how to fix a ford or chev yeah then it is hard to get it fixed by them. But, I don’t go to a domestic mechanic to fix an imported car. my Ferrari you no touch. I am pretty sure there is more than just hammer mechanics in your town. Seeing VW has been in NA since the mid 50’s there are a quite a few garages that know how to fix them. Still with the newer ones, I would go to VW dealer just because they have the parts at hand. The other places order the parts from the dealer and then add “their overhead” for using the phone to get the part onto the price.

Q: Can I jumpstart a Volkswagen Beetle with jumper cables?
Can I use jumper cables to start a 1970 12 volt Volkswagen Beetle? Will this destroy the starter, or should I use a battery charger?

A: Lift the sitting cushion off the back seat attach cables and jump start, had 6 BEATLES..

Will NOT destroy anything.

Q: My 1999 Volkswagen Beetle keeps getting hot and it has antifreeze in it. What could make it get hot?
My 1999 Volkswagen Beetle keeps getting hot and when I check it in the morning, it has antifreeze in it. What could be making it get hot?

A: You could have several causes of running hot: you need to check if thermostat is working (not stuck closed); are the radiator fans operational (when the vehicle engine temp is hot, you ought be able to hear the radiator fans operate); poor circulation thru the radiator; or a fairly common issue is the water pump impeller not circulating the water. (As I remember, I think it was 2000 or 2001 when VW changed the impeller design )

My suggestion is that you take the vehicle to a VW specialist to have the cooling system operation put under a diagnosis to determine the cause of the overheating. Avoid driving the vehicle as much as possible, driving the vehicle hot can lead to expensive repairs such as a blown head gasket.

Hope this helps, a car nut.

Q: Where does the in line fuel filter go on a Volkswagen Beetle?
I replaced the in-line fuel filter on my Volkswagen Beetle (1970,) but I think I have it going in the wrong direction. It is spliced into a tube going between a little thing next to the flywheel with a saucer shaped thing on top to the part directly below the air filter (on top.) Is there another fuel filter? Where should the little arrow on the in line one be pointing? Is it possible to clean the other fuel filter?

A: Arrow twards the carb, youll be fine, use new clamps

Q: Where can I have my Volkswagen Beetle serviced at?
My engine light is on & I need to have it looked at. We have no Volkswagen dealership in the area & I want a reliable mechanic to service it. Anyone out there with a Bug take there anywhere but the dealership? I’ve had oil changes at Sears & they have been exceelent but I wasn’t sure if they were qualified to work on a Beetle!

A: I normally don’t recommend “specialists” but beetles are funky lil cars that require funky lil techs.We have a place called the bug doctor so do some reseach and find a reputable bug guy in your area.PLEASE don’t take it to sears.

Example:To replace the radiator in your car,you need to remove both front fenders and the bumper as a unit,fun stuff that most techs won’t wanna deal with

Q: How much for and old Volkswagen Beetle?
How much would I be looking to pay for a used, working, old version Volkswagen Beetle in Australia?
I already know that they do not work well, I would like a estimate on how much i might pay.

A: Lots of them here.Click the classified button then look on the left side of the screen and narrow it down a bit. Once you have done that, then click the search button and you can narrow it down further: price,state, and so on….Have fun..

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

Q: VW beetle?
I am thinking about buying a used VW Beetle, 2003-2006 with low mileage, convertible. Can anyone share their opinions on these cars? How is the gas mileage? We need a second car, I have an Aztek and a DEAD Ford Explorer. Comments? Thoughts? Thanks!

A: I have turbo 2003 yellow beetle, and I absolutely love it! I was tempted to get the convertible at first, but I decided against it because:
1) It has a 2 out of 5 star safety rating. It’s a small car, so if you replace the dome (which absorbs the most impact like a school bus dome) with fabric, it really doesn’t help you too much!
2) The gas mileage is not as good

Overall the user ratings for the VW convertible have been relatively good, and the only problem is a minor window problem.
Also, consider that it’s still a german car, so matienance is more expensive for EVERYTHING.
I would consider getting the regular beetle as well. I didn’t think I would ever get the regular, but I love him! He’s my baby! Also think about getting the regular, turbo, or diesel. Turbo definitely takes more gas, but boy is it fun! It’s a classic/fun car designed for Porsche. But however, if you go the convertible route, that’s fun as well!

Q: VW Beetle?
Currently I have a 89 honda civic, and its on its last limbs, i am thinking of getting a VW Beetle(Ive always wanted one), used…..

any insights on this car?? is it a good car??

A: If you can afford the upkeep of a foreign made car…go for it.
They do cost a little more for preventative maintenance.
I have a VW Jetta TDI Wagon, 2005 model, bought new.
Love it, but I did NOT buy it used, didn’t want someone else’s used headache.
Drove a beetle once, not bad, fuel economy average for size and all.
Check out crash ratings and etc. before finalizing your decision. Check insurance rates.
I believe side crash impact ratings are lower on the Beetle.
Be careful, take your time and test drive, check out information thoroughly about the Beetle models, then decide.

Q: vw beetle?
please help me find an automatic blue or green beetle somewhere in colorado for less that $7,500 i’ve looked everywhere and i’ve only found one on craigslist with way to many miles. pleaaaase and thanks!
New. sorry =]

A: You MAY find a VW Bug in this price range but the upkeep will bust your budget. The Bugs need specialized care at the dealership. I have a 2002 and got some water in my gas and spent $900 getting the car fixed. This is the first car I’ve ever seen that is set up so you cannot change your own oil. The battery STARTS at $200. No standard part fits the Beetle, it takes an odd tire size, premium oil and if you get a TURBO bug it takes PREMIUM gas and will kill you at the gas pump.
All and all I love my bug, it’s adorable. But it’s expensive and I don’t know if I had to do it all over again if I would get a VW Bug.

Q: Is a VW Beetle Convertible suitable for me and my 2 year old?
I really want a VW Beetle convertible for me and my Daughter. Has any one had a convertible and a small child. Do you recommend it? What r the pros and cons….
I currently drive a Chevy Alanche, its just me, my daughter and mys husband, he has his own toy car and i think maybe the beetle would be nice for me and my daughter for late summer evening rides.

A: I’ve actually found the Beetles to be pretty roomy on the inside (more space than a mini for sure). if you’re taking a booster seat in and out of the car a lot the two door aspect might be a pain but if you leave it in it’d be fine, plus soon enough she’ll be sitting in a normal seat anyway so it’d be a temporary situation.

They’re very safe cars though and if you maintain it it’ll run very well for a while.

They have a decent amount of space in the trunk. I wouldn’t have problem fitting all my groceries in it.

Q: How do you turn a vw beetle into an automatic and if there is a certain part then what would that be?
I have a 71 vw beetle.
Not too fond of driving a stick.
I have a 71 vw beetle.
Im not too into the whole stickshift thing.
Along with my question…How much would converting it approximately be?

A: Yes it is possible and not too difficult but it would be expensive.

If you do your sums correctly you will find it cheaper to sell the car and buy an auto rather than carrying out the conversion.

You probably will find info on this topic on the following web site

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/

Q: What is the best way to soundproof a classic vw beetle?
I have a 1971 vw beetle. It has been restored by the last owner and there seems to be little soundproofing in the engine bay and there is not much on the inside. Can anyone recommend sites/give advice?

A: Hit up your local body shop supply joint for “Q-Pads”. They’re expensive, but they work great. Another cheaper suggestion is rubberized undercoating.
In my last Bug, I hosed down the firewall with undercoat, put on a layer of pads, then covered them with aluminum heat matting for a nice finished look. I also put pads on the inside, under the rug lining the storage bay behind the rear seat. Get under the seat as well. Undercoat inside the doors and rear side panels behind the interior panels. Hose down under the car too. Not just the floorboards, but under the trunk, fuel tank & all 4 fenders. Upgrade the carpets with some sort of thin pad (woven or foam) beneath. A new muffler couldn’t hurt. Make sure your tailpipes are correctly adjusted (No, I’m not kidding. Adjusting them to the correct length reduces noise & sets the correct amount of back pressure).
Spray glue foam pad to the roof panel between it & the headliner. Shoot spray foam (Great Stuff) into the hollow rocker panels & roof ribs. If you do all this, you’ll add probably 30 pounds to the car, but it’ll be a lot quieter.
Remember: these cars (for all the amazing engineering that went into them) are basically just tin cans. They were designed & built to be inexpensive, not quiet & luxurious. Lots of hollow spaces. The slightest chirp or rattle gets amplified inside them.

Q: 2005 VW Beetle – How can I get rid of the seatbelt warning?
The seatbelt warning sound in the 2005 VW Beetle is the most annoying thing I have ever heard! It even comes on while the car is OFF! I have searched forums for anyone who may know how to stop this warning sound, or at least muffle it, and I have yet to find an answer. Any answers, suggestions or references will be greatly appreciated.

A: If you mean the seatbelt chime do as one of the other guys told you by disconnecting the battery but in addition, check all fuses including engine fuses but I doubt its that. Also get someone to scan your computer with an obd 2 or i believe its a CAN scanner cable now connected to a computer scanner or get the VW dealer to scan it or if you know somebody that has VAG COM software ask them to run diagnostics and then ask them to turn off the seatbelt chime..YES ITS POSSIBLE ..good luck!
Oh and to the guy above the chime is in the dash not in the speaker..don’t ask why or how but its just so.

Q: How do I convert a VW beetle from single circuit master cylinder to dual circuit?
How do I convert a 61 VW Beetle from single circuit master cylinder to dual circuit? I don’t understand the residual vs non-residual type? Is it a straight up swap of the master cylinder? I am putting in new metal lines and am told that a dual circuit is a good idea?

Many thanks

A: you might want to go to a wrecking yard an see how it was done on the super beetle. I believe there is more to it than just a master cylinder swap- proportioning valve comes to mind.

Q: How do you differentiate a german mad vw bug from a mexican made vw beetle?
I want to buy a vw beetle but I wanted a german made one. pls help me to identify it.

A: Most early VWs you find will be German made. Mexican beetles maintained the 58-64 body style up to 1970, so that should be a dead giveaway. Although bugs were made in Mexico up to recent years, you won’t find any in the US after 1979 (i believe), and they cannot be registered because of safety regulations.

Q: Can a convertable part of a VW beetle be changed of painted?
How much would it cost?
Also how much would it cost to get a nice paint job for a VW beetle?

A: £450 for the roof

my respray on my karmann ghia is £2000

Q: How many miles does a typical VW Beetle maintain?
I’m looking for a VW New Beetle(not the classic) and I’m hoping to find a used one that will last me through my last year of high school and college. And I need to know how many miles a Beetle’s engine can take before needing serious work?

A: It’s kind of luck of the draw. If you can find a diesel one, the engine will last longer. I have a diesel Jetta (same engine as the diesel Beetle) with 172,000 miles on it and it runs fine. And the increased mpg (I’m getting 47 on the highway) will way more than compensate for the slightly higher cost of diesel fuel and the extra cost of the car compared to a gas one.

But, lots of little stuff breaks on VWs. Things like the sensors to tell if a door or the trunk is open, etc. It’s pretty annoying, because it seems like there’s always *something* minor wrong. I’m not basing this off of just my own experience – I have 5 friends with VWs (4 of them also have diesels) and I read www.tdiclub.com a fair bit.

Q: What is the best laptop mount for the new VW Beetle?
I need to mount my laptop (Panasonic toughbook) in the new VW Beetle, however I haven’t been able to find one that is just right for my needs. I tried the new Ram Mount with the ball and the legs are good and everything else on it is find except the ball. It slips way too often. Anyone have something better? What do PSE&G or the police cars use?

A: Try Jottodesk.com
I got the universal mount. Works great and VERY stable and strong.

Q: How do you tell the year model on a vw beetle?
I have just recently bought a vw beetle with a monza body kit fibreglass gaurds etc and it has no compliance plate and the chassis number is 5425107 and it is a type 2 chassis if you could help me in ths matter it would be greatly appreciated

A: The third digit indicated year yours could possibley be a 1952==1962==1972 would need to see vehicle to know which one. If it has reduction gears that rules out 1972.
Also a beetle is a type one vehicle. Type 2 is bus truck camper or van. However a typee 2 motor is basically the same as type 1.

Q: 1969 vw beetle, 45,000 original miles and in good condition. How much is it worth?
1969 VW Beetle, 45,000 original miles and in good condition. How much is it worth?

A: I don’t know about the mileage unless you can document it, since a 40 year old car would likely have had the spedo turn over more then a couple of times. Even in storage, there are parts of the bug that simply wear out by exposure (like rubber pieces, dashboards, headliners, etc.. )

So lets just say that it is a 69 bug in very excellent condition.

Assuming no rust.. good paint no rust…good motor… no rust… good transmission.. no rust … good interior and a good floor pan (no holes under the battery) oh, and in case I forgot to mention it , no rust…

Show cars of that vintage bring in between $12,000 and $14,000 (use eBay and search for SOLD vw bugs to get a good idea),

Extremely Good but daily driver bugs bring at least $5,000 up to about $8 unless you have a convertible in which case add about $2500 to the top end.

Hope that helps…

Q: Is it possible to switch a VW Beetle (Old) from manual to automatic? How much would it cost?
I want to buy a VW Beetle, one of the ones from the late 60s and early 70s but I am a little worried about driving an automatic car. If it is possible I still don’t think I would be able to pay a fortune to have it switched. Thanks

A: Tehnically, it is possible…so you could…but it would require enough custom work that Bill Gates would have to work out a payment play.

Q: karmann Ghia?
What would be a fair price to pay for a solid, unrestored, early to mid sixties karmann Ghia hard top? I have looked around the web and parts are available and cheap. I have always wanted one.

A: I paid about a thousand for mine. But it was in excellent shape with low miles. Restored they go for quite a bit more (of course).

I probably wouldn’t pay more than 1500 unless it was spotless.

Q: Karmann Ghia?
Looking for a 1960 -1963 Karmann Ghia in the US that I can retore
rust is no problem and will change out the engine so does not need one.
Does anyone know where I can find one ??? Will even walk pig lots for this car body>>>>

A: Good Luck!!!Try Hemmings Motor News.Great mag for antiques and hard to find car parts.

Q: Karmann Ghia horn is blowing constantly since the battery has been charged. How to fix it?
My Karmann Ghia’s horn has been blasting non-stop for some reason and I can’t make it stop.

Does anyone have any idea how I can stop it? It starts once the key is turned on the ignition.

Thank you!

A: Sounds like you have a short to power you might want to take it to the shop and get it checked out.

Q: What is the best year for a VW Karmann Ghia restore project?
Am interested in buying a karmann ghia to semi-restore. Not much of a mechanic here, but am willing to learn. So the idea of a complete restore is out of the equation. Probably want a daily driver that runs and that I can slowly make additions or upgrades to. Any suggestions on which year I should get? Want to hear community thoughts. Thanks!

A: Any year that you can buy

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of driving a VW Karmann Ghia?
I’m considering getting a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and was wondering if anyone could tell me more about the car. Is it reliable?
Can you get up to speed fast enough to merge onto a highway?

A: i own a shop,and they was pretty good little cars ,they did rust a lot in the back ares a lot,and this caused a lot of problems with that part of it,and the heaters don’t work good in real cold weather,other than that they was ok cars,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Q: Is a karmann ghia a good first car and will this look good?
Okay so for my first car i’m thinking about a karmann ghia convertible with a summer yellow exterior and white interior. i would keep the classic seats and steering wheel. What does anyone think? also–any other similar ideas?
i am interested in working on it mechanically–like fixing it up myself… and although i prefer automatic, i am able to drive a stick. I like classic cars like the ghia. I’m not looking for anything too new or boring. thanks to all whov answered!

A: I would only encourage you to choose a Karmann Ghia as your first car if you live somewhere fairly rural. If you live somewhere with heavy traffic and freeways, forget it until you can get one as a weekend toy. An old VW like that won’t keep up with traffic, and it won’t be able to stop as quickly as the car in front of you can when something unexpected happens. When I was a teenager, I had a couple of old cars that offered minimal crash protection, but that was before cell phones became common. I’ve seen way too many nasty looking crashes involving inattentive drivers since then. When the Karmann Ghia was new, nobody had airbag lined SUVs with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. If you drive one now, you have to worry about all the people who feel invulnerable in their rolling vaults.

If you live somewhere off the beaten path, and you have knowledgeable help to aid you in learning about oil changes, setting timing, valve adjustments, and drum brake rebuilds, you might really enjoy having a Karmann Ghia. I think it would be a dangerous choice anywhere particularly populous though.

Maybe you could consider a first generation Miata. They’re relatively easy to work on by modern standards, they can keep up with modern traffic, and they have some degree of crash protection engineered into them.

Q: Can I put the engine and transmission from a 1974 VW Super Beetle into a 1970 VW Karmann Ghia?
I would like to take the engine and transmission from my 1974 VW Super Beetle into my 1970 VW Karmann Ghia. The Super Beetle has the manual transmission, and the Ghia has the autostick transmission. Will the engine and transmission from the 74 Super Beetle fit into the 1970 Ghia? What kind of work will I have to do with the electrical system?

A: you shouldnt have any electrical problems. you will probably need to get a 1970 ghia shift rod. the auto-stick tranny has a different nose cone and the linkage will not work. you can use the 74 shift assembly though

Q: karmann ghia?

A: Check out this link for a basic history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_Karmann_Ghia

Basically it’s just a Beetle with a different body. There was a demand by the late 50’s for sporty looking and cheap (price not make) euro cars, so this was Volkswagens answer to that demand. As well it fit that market very well and was a very popular car. Now someone else above talked about the TYPE 3 Ghia (TYPE 34 true name), now the thing to keep in mind is that the goal for that car was not the same as the Karmann Ghia. VW wanted to get in the higher cost sport market of cars like Porsche; problem is that most buyers at the time couldn’t get past the name (VW) and their image as a budget car (not the image the Porsche buyer is usually going for). So, the car was basically an over priced flop for them. Personally, I love the Type 34, but it’s not for everyone.

As far as the rust issues, Karmann is a very well respected German coach builder, so it wasn’t due to cheap steel, or poor quality control. From what I understand they were not able to make the cars in huge panels like other VW models, which lead to more panels, seams, etc and in this is the root cause of rust problems. Even with rust problems, they where much less than other euro auto companies of the same era. Some of the British cars from back then where known to rust on the car lot, since the metal quality was so bad.

Really not my favorite VW by any means, but it’s just a Beetle with flashy body. So, if your looking at one just keep that in mind.

Q: Where can i find parts for a 62 Karmann Ghia ?
I need bumpers for my 62 Karmann Ghia and don’t know where to find them.

A: This should point you in the right direction. Try looking at the junk yard also. Good Luck

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/

http://www2.cip1.com/default.asp

http://www.bfyobsoleteparts.com/

Q: Does anyone have a Karmann Ghia project car for sale?
I am a high-school student and I am looking for a Karmann Ghia to restore. A 1956-1959 would be awesome but anything is fine.
Or any suggestions where to find one?

A: Saw a “Project car” listed on eBay/motors on sundat 08/24 today!

Q: How much does it cost to repaint Karmann and Ghia?
i have a 1970 Volkswagen Karmann and Ghia, about how much would it cost to get it repainted?

A: It will cost less if you call it by the correct name, Karmann Ghia. figure $350 for crap, $800 to $1500 for decent and $3000 and up for custom, it also depends how much bodywork it needs.

Q: Is a Karmann Ghia a good car for a new driver?
It seems like a reliable car and has recieved many great reviews. Do you think insurance would be a pain?

Just let me know what you think!

A: Maybe, maybe not.

Insurance should be cheap, and the cars were very reliable when they were new.

That said, the newest Ghia available is 34 years old.
The mechanical parts of a Ghia are mostly VW Beetle, but the cosmetic parts are Ghia specific and cost much more than Beetle parts.

Also, newer drivers tend to bump and rub a little more than more experienced drivers and Karmann Ghias don’t really like that too much.
You see, a ghia’s body panels don’t unbolt like a Beetle or most other cars’ panels do, so any dents and dings have to be worked out of the sheet metal. You can’t just replace a fender or apron because the body is mostly just one piece. The hood, deck lid, and doors are the only removable body parts.

Ghias are also entering that area of collectability that may make them a poor value for a new driver. The initial cost of a Ghia in good condition is way above the cost of cars that could be seen as superior values.
(And may be much safer and more reliable)

Just some things to think about.
: )

Q: Where is the hard point on a Karmann Ghia?
I need to change a flat, but there’s no hard point visible. Does the pan need to be removed to put it against the steel beams?

A: Huh????????

I’m not sure I understand. Are you trying to change a flat tire on some kind of vehicle? Since you posted it here and what I VAGUALLY understand of your question, that’s what I’ll assume. Remove the lug nuts a pull the tire and wheel assembly straight out. On some utility vehicles (don’t know what a Karmann Ghia is), there are no lug nuts. You have to unbolt the center bearing nut and take the entire assembly off.

Q: How long and wide is a volkswagen karmann ghia?
I’m looking to use the smallest trailer possible to move one.

A: Zack is spot on, but is quoting the book. Add 12″ to width, and 12″ to length for a workable inside trailer dimension. Park it as far to the right as possible on the trailer so you can get in and out of the car.

EDIT: I have towed and trailered my Ghia around the country for more than 30 yrs, & have even shipped it overseas, in accordance with my orders with the US Navy. It is a very well travelled Karmann Ghia. It got a chance to visit Sicily.

WARNING: Whatever you do, don’t use a 2 wheel dolly, the clearance on the other end is less than 2-3 inches.

Q: What is the current value of a 1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia?
Body is straight no accidents, paint in good condition little rust nothing major. hard top, manual trans.

A: check out www.thesamba.com for comparison prices… old VW’s are worthless on the blue book or as trade-ins. But they are priceless to the average buyer… Prices vary so wildly for Ghias.

Q: Can I put the engine and transmission from a 1974 VW Super Beetle into a 1970 VW Karmann Ghia?
I would like to take the engine and transmission from my 1974 VW Super Beetle into my 1970 VW Karmann Ghia. The Super Beetle has the manual transmission, and the Ghia has the autostick transmission. Will the engine and transmission from the 74 Super Beetle fit into the 1970 Ghia? What kind of work will I have to do with the electrical system?

A: you shouldnt have any electrical problems. you will probably need to get a 1970 ghia shift rod. the auto-stick tranny has a different nose cone and the linkage will not work. you can use the 74 shift assembly though

Q: What is the best year for a VW Karmann Ghia restore project?
Am interested in buying a karmann ghia to semi-restore. Not much of a mechanic here, but am willing to learn. So the idea of a complete restore is out of the equation. Probably want a daily driver that runs and that I can slowly make additions or upgrades to. Any suggestions on which year I should get? Want to hear community thoughts. Thanks!

A: Any year that you can buy

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of driving a VW Karmann Ghia?
I’m considering getting a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and was wondering if anyone could tell me more about the car. Is it reliable?
Can you get up to speed fast enough to merge onto a highway?

A: i own a shop,and they was pretty good little cars ,they did rust a lot in the back ares a lot,and this caused a lot of problems with that part of it,and the heaters don’t work good in real cold weather,other than that they was ok cars,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Q: MY generator broke in my 1972 VW Karmann Ghia new one. The engine is actually from a VW Thing.?
MY generator broke in my 1972 VW Karmann Ghia, I need a new one. The engine is actually from a VW Thing. I don’t know what year. Are all generators the same? What should I get? And any cheap?

A: Most stock VW generators are the same. Take it off the car and take it to a parts store they can match the numbers to be sure.

Q: The doors on my 72 VW Karmann Ghia doors touch the front fenders?
I cannot paint because both doors rub against the front fenders, it will cause the paint to chip. I was thinking about grinding off metal on the edge, but is that safe? Please help!

A: the doors can be adjusted, I would grind them off as a last resort, if you can’t adjust them a bodyshop can.

Q: how does a guy find the firing order on the distributer of his 1974 vw karmann ghia?
ive got a sandrail with a vw motor and i have gas and spark but the plug wires are in the wrong order. i know the cylinder order but not the distributer order

A: Firing order is 1-4-3-2. It’s stamped on the case under the distributor stand.

Q: What is involved on “degunking” a carburater on a 1972 VW Karmann Ghia? It has been sitting for 2 years,
The car has been sitting for 2 years. I have used choke spray cleaner and managed to get it started, then it stalls . Will it help to remove the carburater and have it cleaned? Is this something relatively easy to do yourself??

A: If you are sure the carb is the problem you probably need to get a rebuild kit and have the carb boiled out to clean up all the passage ways. They used to make a special cleaner for this and you just disassembled the carb and soaked the metal parts in it for a day. Removed, cleaned and reassembled. However with the advent of fuel injection this may no longer be available. Just need to check with your local auto parts store. No point in having a mechanic rebuild as you can get a new one with a guarantee for about the same price. Check your local auto parts stores or jcwhitney.co,

Q: VW Karmann Ghia tachometer installation ( vw beetle) rev counter?
i have decided to fit a rev counter to my 1971 karmann ghia.
i have bought a rev counter.
there are three wires coming from it.
one is live, one is earth, where does the third go?
is it the low tension or high tension on the coil?

A: Most of the old style tachometers work in the same way and the third wire goes on the negative side of the low tension wiring at the coil.
On one side of the coil you have an ignition feed and on the other side, that goes to the distributor is the negative side.

Q: How do I replace the starter on a 1968 VW Karmann Ghia?

A: Follow what Fish-Eye said, but realize that one of the bolts in the starter is a long bolt with a round head with a flat side on it. The flat side has to face the body of the starter (this keeps the bolt from spinning). The nut for it is a 17mm in the engine compartment behind (or in front, depending on your perspective) the fan shroud. Make sure when you put the new starter in, you put grease on the end of the shaft and gear. Have fun!

Q: VW Bug, or VW Karmann Ghia? Or something else…?
I am a 17 year old driver currently trying to find a good, reliable car. I’m interested in learning to work on a vehicle myself, therefore I’ve been looking into older cars without any over-complicated parts such as ECU’s. I’ve been taking interest in older VW’s lately, particularly the 1970’s Beetle and Karmann Ghia’s, due to the simpler air cooled engine (and also the stylish appearance ). Price is not an issue, however I was wondering which would be more better/reliable?
I just want a vehicle that, over time I can actually make mine and not have to rely on mechanics and such to care for my vehicle.
Also, does the Karmann Ghia have an AC unit? I can’t seem to find anything online about it. All I know is that the Beetles don’t.
Answers would be very appreciated

A: No one loves the air cooled VW’s more than me, but I have to tell people this all the time – 70’s VW’s were never particularly reliable. Beetles were very easy to fix, so that makes up for it, IF you’re willing to fix it. Karmann Ghia’s are less easy to fix, and parts are harder to find.

If you’re thinking of getting an old Beetle or Karmann Ghia as a daily driver, get two. Get one of each. One will always be broken. As soon as you fix it, the other one will probably break. So, most of the time, you’ll have at least one working car.

You’ll learn a lot about cars, and have fun fixing them, if you’re serious about making them a daily driver. If you don’t have the time and energy to spend a few hours every week repairing your cars, my advice is to avoid old VW’s.

Q: 1968 VW Karmann Ghia?
I bought a Karmann Ghia like this one, but mine is a hard top and beige…

http://www.karmannghias.com/cars/61greenghia/index.htm

Anti-sway bars, larger performance tires 190X65HR15, the handling is incredable!

The freeway flyer transmission, I cruise freeways at 80 mph at the perfect 3,700 rpms for these air cooled wonders.

My 1,700 engine is rated at a conservative 80 hp with dual Delarto carberators and gets 28.8 mpg (yes, it does drip a little oil).

Whenever I drive it, like at the beach, people are always taking pictures of it so I never have to worry about it.

Parts are plentiful and inexpensive too… and if I ever have any questions, the seller always answers them. These VW class of people are wonderful. “True to the spirit” they call it.

http://www.karmannghia.com/home.asp

Recently, I was told I paid too much ($6k). I could not believe this. I get so much enjoyment from this car. But did I pay too much?
I even dream about driving this car.
Thanks! There was only so much room to write my question. I do have an Cylinder Head Temp., Oil Temp, and Oil Pressure gauges… and yes, a 5 qt. oil sump pump for Mobile 1 Synthetic.

A: Too Much> NOT IF YOU LOVE IT!
Get a oil cooler and oil temp gauge though….I’ve lost several VWs to third cylinder overheating, mostly coming back from the beach(200 miles uphill).

Q: Body seam filler in a VW Karmann Ghia – what is it?
Buddy and I are prepping his old VW Karmann Ghia for a much needed respray and bodywork.

PROBLEM / PUZZLED

What did the factory use for seam filler? This shytte looks like lead. We have halted work on the car until we know for sure. Did Volkswagen / Karmann use lead filler on these cars?
And if they did will paper masks be acceptable for working on it?
.
.
thanks to “manuel n”
As I stated, we have stopped work on the car and will pick up the proper materials tomorrow. GOOD CALL !
.
.
.

A: You are right , they used lead to fill low spots and holes. Use etching primer to seal it and be sure to use foam respirators not the cheap paper ones.

Q: Should I buy a 70’s Porsche 914, VW Karmann Ghia or a Beetle for a project car?
My four teenagers and I would like to start a project of building a VW Beetle or a Karmann Ghia or a Porsche 914. Looking for a straight body that doesn’t require any work and the best value replacement parts. We want something that will have some performance once it’s completed.

I have found a 73 914 for $1,000 but needs a new fuse box and possibly all new wiring. The price looks good but I wonder if I would get a better return on doing a Beetle or Ghia instead. The appeal of the 914 is the mid engine layout for excellent balance. Can someone help me decide?

A: The Porsche 914 is an excellent handling car, but parts supplies for it are dicey at best. I would not be surprised that the vehicle would need new wiring, those vehicles ran pretty warm when new and with the wiring now being 30+ years old, the insulation is cracking and the ground circuits are problem prone due to age and corrision. The VW 411/412 suffers from the same problems as the 914 does. Because of the miles of wiring in one of these vehicles, expect to spend a lot of time and effort straightening out the wiring concerns. It is not a job for those of faint of heart.

I like the way the Porsche drives, but keep in mind in order to make it even just a daily driver it will require a ton of work. The fuel injection system used on many of these is now problem prone; it worked well when new, but it was an early electronic system, so time has passed it by and the parts are getting rarer and rarer. Many of these parts are rebuilt only and some of the rebuilders of these parts do a pretty poor job of it… Expect to spend top dollar for many of these parts, especially on Porsche only parts.. If you’re keeping it, for me at least, this would be my choice. If its something you’re going to sell after you finish it, I’d pick something else…

The Beetle is the easiest to restore as a project car. Mechanically bits are easily available from many vendors and tend to be far less expensive than the Porsche. Unless its a late model Beetle with Fuel Injection, they are simple to repair and almost everything is available for it, including new body parts, which certainly isn’t the case with the Porsche. The faults are well known: poor wind resistance, especially cross winds; so-so handling, so-so braking, poor heater and defroster, high noise levels, especially at freeway speeds; and only so-so fuel economy, even with a lot of modifications to the engine. But, you can easily modify the motor to get more performance from it, just don’t expect to get good economy from it. Also, there is excellent independent VW Beetle clubs all over the place and many magazines devoted to the Beetle, so support on your project will be easily found.
Finally, there is someone who will always want a Beetle, so when it comes time to part ways, it will be easy to sell it.

A Ghia has the same basic mechanical relationship with the Beetle.
It has better handling, better wind resistance, somewhat quieter than a Beetle (wind noise), better braking on late models (disc brakes in front), and is an easier vehicle to drive in everyday driving.

It shares the same basic faults as the Beetle, plus special parts that are not shared with the Beetle are harder to come by, as they stopped building the Ghia around 1974 and didn’t sell anywhere as many.
As long as your not looking for body parts, you should be able to restore one of these almost as easily as the Beetle. Think of it as a “sporty” Beetle….

Well, I hope this helps you a little, best wishes on whatever project that you take on as a family project, a car nut

Q: I have a 1971 VW Karmann Ghia. does anyone know if the hubcaps from the same vintage Beetle will fit?

A: rims are the same so they should.

Q: where is the vin number located on a vw karmann ghia? also how can i tell the model year?

A: check the drivers side win sheild. 5th or 6th number should be the year

Q: Toyota Landcruiser?
The end of the exhaust is constantly drpping oil, can any body help me by letting me know what the fault is.

Thanks

A: If it is oil you have issues and need to have it brought to a shop. make sure it is not just water colored black because of carbon buildup in the exhaust system.

Q: How much power does a 1982-87 Toyota LandCruiser FJ60 have?
How much power does a 1982-87 Toyota LandCrusier FJ60 have that came from the factory?

Also why did they drop the 4 speed manual transmission in favor of the automatic in 1988? I personally thought that was a poor move for the LandCruiser, why couldn’t they keep on with the manual transmission?

A: an 82-87 cruiser has a 2f engine which has about 165 horsepower and 210 ft.lbs. of torque @ 1800 RPM/{lots of grunt, but not much speed.:)

Q: What kind of MPG can I expect from a 1980 toyota landcruiser BJ40?
Im looking to get a 1980 toyota landcruiser diesel. Im wondering what kind of city/highway mpg I can expect to get?

A: A friend of mine has a 78…He gets 18 to 20 With larger tires and alot of gear on it….

Q: what years will my 1992 toyota landcruiser 3rd row fit?
hi we havve a 1992 toyota landcruiser and are wondering if anyone knows or knows how to find out what years of the landcruiser they fit. Thanks!

A: I’m assuming you’re in the US, in which case you have a 1992 FJ80 Land Cruiser. (the Land Cruiser name covers many models around the world, even during the same model year)

In that case, your third-row seats should fit all 91-97 80-series Land Cruisers. The actual models are FJ80 and FZJ80 in the US, and also HDJ80 outside the US, but they’ll all have the exact same body style as your 92. Your 92 seats are probably cloth though, and all US Land Cruisers had all leather upholstery after 93 or 94.

Q: Cost to install a trailer hitch to Toyota Landcruiser?
I have a standard 1998 Toyota Landcruiser.

How much does it cost to install a trailer hitch.
I want to tow a light trailer.
Do I need to tell them to set up the electrical stuff too – like breaks or will they do that automatically?
please include a price that includes this hitch. Thanks…

A: 2-3hunderd and they will do the electric stuff automatically

Q: Options/Diagnosis of blown head gasket in 1995 Toyota Landcruiser?
I have a 1995 Toyota Landcruiser, and it is overheating when I take it on the highway (not in town.) At some point the engine released (radiator fluid? muddy water?) though I was not there for the event. It is not leaking and no white smoke from the exhaust. There is no noticable leak internally. Mechanic has flushed three times, and now removing to “clean” and see if the bottom of the radiator a)can get water flow and b)has a crack or blown head gasket. Says I may need new radiator if cant clean. First, what do these symptoms indicate? Next, how much should it cost for new radiator? Last, is there a way to repair a radiator? I’m not a mechanic, and feeling slightly vulnerable to the specialists. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

A: If it’s a diesel engine, the oil cooler may be leaking. Another possibility is the Auto tranny cooler in the rad. Have the oil anilized to determine which type of fluid. A lot cheaper than tearing the engine down.

»»»

Q: If I buy a Toyota Landcruiser and like Air Cooled seats not available, then can install Lexus A/C salvage seat?
I would get a seat out of a Lexus 570 that is air cooled and put it in the Toyota Landcruiser and hook up the electronics? Is this possible? Who can I ask to make sure this is possible???
Thanks, TJW

A: NO dealer will do this for you because it violates Federal safety standards. Only a seat meant specifically for that vehicle can be installed in it. If any modifications are done to it and you’re hurt in an accident, the dealer can be sued big time.

And most repair shops won’t do it either. There’s just way too much liability concerns involved.

Now if you want to do it on your own, you’ll have to be sure that the L/C wiring harnesses are the exact same as the Lexus. You have to be sure all the connectors are there and that the impedance and voltage across the wires are the same since it will be connected to the fuse box.

You’ll also have to check for relays and other circuitry that operate the cooling seats to be sure they’re in place too. Without them, the seat functions won’t work. The final thing to consider is mounting the switches for turning on and off the cooling system and a potentiometer for the degree of cooling you want.

It’s a lot of work that will require a lot of research and even more hours of labor. But if you have the ingenuity and the time, try it. Otherwise, save up a few more bucks and get the Lexus equipped the way you want it.

Q: Would there be a problem with buying a petrol-run toyota landcruiser that has done 200,000kms?
I have always heard diesle engines last longer, would a landcruiser engine that has done 200,000 kms be just about done for?

A: It may be problems with the engine after 200.000kms.Yes, diesel engines are much better,last longer,bigger torque.
European diesel engines are much better than US engines.(power,fiability,)
The diesel engine can run twice as much petrol run engines.
For example the Audi racing team choose for the R10 Le Mans car a V12 TDI diesel engine(650Bhp)

Q: 1993 toyota landcruiser heating unit buttons stuck, help?
My 80 series toyota landcruiser heater unit low high settings button is stuck in one setting. Even if i try to hit the off button or any other buttons it will not change….

A: I would try spraying contact cleaner in and around the switch.

Q: The lights on my toyota landcruiser won’t turn off when it rains hard. Why?
Whenever it rains hard the lights on my 2003 toyota landcruiser won’t turn off and the battery eventually dies. The dealership has repeatedly said that they can’t find anything wrong, but it continues to happen. Does anyone know why, and how I can fix it? Thanks.

A: i own a repair shop,and you got a bad switch or a relay drawing moisture on it making them stay on,like this,you,ll need to have it checked out real good to see what it is causing this to happen,you may have to take it to a good mechanic to see if he can figure it out these can sometimes be tricky to solve,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Q: Would you spend 5600 dollars on a 92 Toyota Landcruiser?
It only has 82,000 miles on it. But I need something that is a little bit reliable. Your opinion? Can I trust a car that is 17 years old even if it is a Toyota?

A: $5600 for a Landcruiser, no matter the year, is a good price.

Having owned many Landcruisers myself, you will find them to be reliable as far as major items go. Little things might go bad, but a repair never cost me more than $200 in parts (of course, I did the work myself).

I would say take it to a Toyota Dealer and have them do a complete inspection before you actually plunk down the cash, because you never know: This might be the one Landcruiser that tuns out to be a money pit. It might cost you some money up front for the inspection, but it will give you the piece of mind to know exactly what is wrong with the vehicle and help you decide whether or not it is the right vehicle for you.

Q: How reliable are the electronics on the Toyota Landcruiser 200 series?
Looking to travel around the world for 2 years, and investing in a car which i’ll be living in! I’ll be spending a lot of time in the sahara and deserts. I hear landcruisers are the most reliables 4×4s. But how reliable are the electronics? Do they fail occasionally? Are they easy to fix by yourself if you’re in the middle of nowhere?! Do you suggest any other cars which are comfortable and provide high performance?

A: Here’s some basics. Just like that of a manual transmission, the automatic transmission’s primary job is to allow the engine to operate in its narrow range of speeds while providing a wide range of output speeds.
Without a transmission, cars would be limited to one gear ratio, and that ratio would have to be selected to allow the car to travel at the desired top speed. If you wanted a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h elsewhere), then the gear ratio would be similar to fourth gear in most manual transmission cars.
You’ve probably never tried driving a manual transmission car using only fourth gear. If you did, you would quickly find out that you had almost no acceleration when starting out, and at high speeds, the engine would be screaming along near redline. A car like this would wear out very quickly and would not be drivable.
When choosing between manual and automatic, one of the considerations is power.
If you want the most power from your engine, going with a manual transmission versus an automatic is most likely going to be your best bet.
While some modern automatic transmissions, i.e. CVT transmissions, manumatics, and conventional 4 or 5-speed automatic transmissions allow for some excellent acceleration, there is still usually a substantial difference in 0-60 times between these types of automatics and a 5 or 6-speed manual transmission.
For example, an automatic equipped Dodge Neon has a reported 0-60 MPH time of approximately 10.5 seconds.
The same Neon when equipped with a 5-speed manual has a reported 0-60 time of 8.1 seconds; a huge difference.
While most cars do not have this large of a 0-60 MPH gap between auto and manual transmissions, 99 percent of the time you will receive noticeably better performance from a manual gearbox.
The acceleration offered from a vehicle when equipped with a manual transmission is usually superior for a number of reasons; most predominantly due to gear ratios and the availability for more precise shifting. To explain, if you own a car that receives 200 horsepower @ 7,000 RPM, but your automatic transmission will up-shift under full throttle at only 6,000 RPM, you probably will never feel the full amount of power that your engine was made to offer. So, your engine may be stamped with a 200 horsepower rating, but because your car is equipped with an automatic that up-shifts too soon, you may be missing up to 20% of available power. On the other side, with most manual transmissions, you can usually take the engine revs to redline (or past). This enables you to get the most power possible to the front, rear, or all 4 wheels under full throttle take-offs.
So, is fuel economy a huge issue?
If you answered yes, then going with a manual transmission is probably going to be your best bet, although it is far from your only choice.
Many newer cars with automatics have an EPA rating of only 1 or 2 MPG less than the same model car equipped with the manual.
With everything in life, there are exceptions to this rule. Some vehicles get better mileage (5 mpg or more) as an automatic compared to the manual, most notably in Toyota’s like RAV4, and the FJ Cruiser.
If this is the case, most people are not going to save a significant amount of money on fuel costs going with the 5-speed manual (especially if you do a lot of city driving).
Since the majority of drivers do not manually shift for economy (or know how to), the 1 or 2 MPG that is lost with the automatic can easily be gained.
Maintenance/Repair costs:
Even though the automotive world has come extremely far with refining automatic transmissions, most automatic transmissions still need to be serviced far more often than manual transmissions (some auto manufacturers state that their manual transmissions never have to be serviced with fluid changes, etc.
Manual transmissions are also usually slightly/much cheaper to fix when something mechanical goes haywire. This is not always the case, but on average, a manual transmission will cost you less to repair than an automatic in the same type of vehicle.
The clutch disc in manual transmissions does need to be replaced on occasion. There are many factors that determine how long a clutch will last such as driving style, the material the clutch disc is made of, and the amount of city vs. highway driving. Clutch replacement is often a labor intensive task and can cost several hundred dollars if performed at a repair shop.
You need to identify your Needs:
The engine that your car is equipped with makes a huge difference to which type of transmission should be chosen. To explain, if you are looking to buy a car with a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder that pumps out 62 horsepower, and 75 lb-ft of torque you will most likely want/need to go with a manual transmission. Since power in this case is extremely limited, you will need to make the most out of your engine for hill climbing, passing power, etc.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to purchase a car with a

Q: where is th auxilry input for like ipods and that in the new toyota landcruiser?
hi i just got a new top of the range landcruiser and i was wondering where the auxilary (aux) input is?

thanks

A: Check the owners manual.

Q: Can you put a install ‘96 and on grill on a ‘91 toyota landcruiser?
I have a ‘91 landcruiser as my second car, and I was just wondering if you can install a newer looking grill like the ones from the models of the late 90’s-early 2000’s, on a ‘91?
I meant a 96 landcruiser grill on a ‘91 landcruiser?

A: yes, I can. with some modification.

Q: how much does a 2000 toyota landcruiser cost?
my man bought me a truck,, i am so happy but it is kinda big for me to drive. i have been driving slowly. i just was curious how much does this car go for and what does it have to do with being a lexus. he swears it is a lexus, but the back of my car says toyota land cruiser. thanks.

A: Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, but yours is a Toyota Land Cruiser. I’d say a 2000 would be worth about $20,000, cause a new one is about $55,000-$60,000.

Q: Subaru WRX?
my partner is buying me a Subaru WRX and I am trying to decide between the standard WRX or the WRX sti, we are in Australia…anyway advantages/disadvantages for both, we are paying cash…….

Mitch

A: You won’t regret buying the WRX STI.
When you open up the throttle on the freeway and fly past anything in front of you lol. You will even give those Holden Monaro’s a run for their money.
But if it’s too expensive you will be happy with the WRX, that’s the middleman. Below Impreza WRX is just cars for the wife’s

Q: Who knows if the 2009 Subaru WRX has faulty engine builds and is prone to engine failure?
I’ve been looking at getting a 2009 Subaru WRX wagon due to its performance and winter capabilities. However, thus far over 50 people on the NASIOC site have reported engine failures; Subaru has consequently been replacing the entire turbo engine.

Recent posts suggest the faulty engines are from earlier build dates of 8/08 to 9/08. Can anyone confirm this?

Subaru has denied knowing anything of this sort.

A: There were some failures but not that many. You can’t go by what is said on NASIOC. Too many kids on there spreading shit. And yes it was in the tune. Subaru recently has been doing some funny things with the tuning. The 08 STI has the same problem too as well as the 07 STI. Nothing wrong with the build it self. Some people were just beating on the engine too much and it was causing problems but there have been service bulletins about it and as far as I know, it’s not an issue anymore. Just ask if the car you are looking at either has a build date after the specified time or has had a reflash done to fix any problems. It should say in the thread on NASIOC what months were bad. Thing you need to know is, the new WRX’s have been selling pretty well but you never hear people posting about having no problems. Only people who have had a problem post and it spreads and looks like an epidemic. And it’s not that the dealer you spoke to is in denial. It’s very possible that they have never had one brought in for the problem. Like I said, the percent of failures compared to the units sold is very small.

Q: What car should I get 350z or subaru wrx sti?
I am 16 years old and my dad bought a 2004 350z. I really had no influence on this buy. I was looking at 2005 subaru wrx sti. I dont know which to get because I like the 350z but it only has 2 seats while the wrx has 5. Please tell me which one you would choose, and the + and – of each car.

A: depends what youre looking for…

the STI is faster, has AWD for better handling… smaller engine but with a turbo which has a few advantages… like if youre not making boost (turbo doesnt kick in till like 2500 rpms) youll be using less gas (but good luck trying NOT to go fast in that car)… like you said seats 5, 4 doors etc etc

the 350 is a sexy looking car… lower, lighter, smaller… powerful v6, nice interior and sound system (that bose is amazing)…

like i said it all depends on what youre looking for.. if you want the looks and the fun of RWD go for the 350

if you want the rally type experience: fast, fun, challenging… go with the STI.. and as far as perfomance mods go, it’ll be easier to make the STI faster because its already turbo’d… you want more power out the 350, the largest gains in HP will come from forced induction

now ive got to do the responsible thing and give you a little pep talk… first off youre only 16 and im 90% sure you wont be paying for this car all by yourself… if i were you id get a beater car that you can learn to drive on (and not get too upset when you damage it)… both the cars youre looking at are beasts and take experience to drive, so that should probably be your first priority

Q: Where is the best insurance company to insure a subaru wrx turbo?
Im 40 years old and am going to be buying a subaru wrx turbo ,can anyone suggest a good insurance company and how much roughly would it be to insure it fully comp .THANKS .

A: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance

They show you a method to search just about every insurer.

I’ve just gone with Swiftcover. Cheap *and* online.

Q: Is it easy to take a turbo off a subaru wrx?
im asking this because i might get a 97′ subaru wrx wagon.Due to victorian laws i cant drive it with a turbo, so is it easy to take it off? and if i do, do i have to take the intercooler off as well?

Also, would this be expensive or a relatively cheap job?

A: You must be in the UK. I suspect it might be a difficult task due to the fact that you’d have to set up the engine to run without the turbo. I would find a very skilled mechanic or take it to a Subaru dealer.

Q: how much would i cost to rebuild a 2007 subaru wrx sti engine?
I’m planning on owning a 2007 subaru wrx or an sti. How much is maintenance with moderate driving not racing or pushing the car to hard, i don’t drive to crazy. My question and my real answer i’m looking for is how much if it happened would a engine rebuild price be and also transmission rebuild.

A: For that car if you had to rebuild the engine and transmission together at once the car would be effectively totaled. Rebuilds on turbocharged boxer engines are outrageously expensive, and when you add in a 4 wheel drive transmission you’d be looking at a total of around $12,000 US.

Q: In what years do Subaru wrx sedans come with an automatic transmission?
I have $10000 to get a car and am thinking about getting a used Subaru wrx because ive heard they’re fast and pretty comfortable.Would buying a manual Subaru make that much of a difference?

A: They have made automatic WRX’s through the 07 model years. From 08 they were called the Impreza GT for some reason. The manual transmission will have an advantage when accelerating from a standstill but from there the longer gears and no loss of boost between shifts can give the auto an advantage. Really it just depends on what you want. An automatic WRX is still way more fun to drive than any other automatic import. I had an auto 02 and after cahnging the down pipe and re flashing it, it really woke up. But my current 5 speed gives much better control of the power band when driving aggressively. I say go out and drive one. If you like it, get it. The auto also has a better AWD system for snowy conditions if you have winters where you live.

Q: What oil should I use in a 1997 Subaru WRX engine?
I have a 1997 Subaru WRX, not sure if it is a STi, and don’t know what oil to use! I don’t mind on what brand it is, just want to know what grade is best!
It has a ZeroSport computer from Japan in it, and runs 18 pound boost. Does that make any difference?

A: Mobil 1 is the best! It is expensive but well worth it. You get better gas mileage and more performance out of your car. A win win is what I say.

use man. req. like 5/20 or 5w/30 they sell for all makes

Q: What does it take to convert a Subaru Wrx to natural gas?
I have an 03 Subaru WRX and I need to know what parts I need, how much they cost, and if i can figure out how to do it myself to convert my vehicle to natural gas.

A: go to your natural gas outlet and tell them for what car

Q: What is the difference between the 2009 Subaru WRX Base model and the Premium model?
What is the difference between the 2009 Subaru WRX Base model and the Premium model? I would like a complete list of all the differences…

A: Base model: $24,995 MSRP
Premium model: $27,495 MSRP. The WRX Premium adds a power moonroof, 10-speaker, 6-disc audio system with auxiliary input and heated front seats, side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer. Check with a dealer for more details.

Michael B: There are three “2009″ WRX models: Base, Premium, and STI. The question did not ask about the STI. You are describing the 04-07 models.

Q: What is the offset for the wheels on a 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon?
I own a 2002 Subaru WRX Wagon and I think it’s time for a new set of wheels. I need to know what the offset is so I can buy me a new set. Also, would rims with an offset of 42 mm fit (securely) on my car? Thanks.

A: I believe the offset is 55mm. Check out tire rack to shop for wheels. They will list the offset to give you an idea of what will fit properly. 42mm may be pushing it, I see many at 48 or 50mm.

Q: Should I buy a 05 subaru wrx with 81k miles ? Is too much miles a red flag ?
I want to buy this 05 Subaru WRX, but it has 81000 miles on it, thats an average of 40k miles per year should I be concerned? what type of questions should I ask the sales man? Blue book value on the car is $17400 and the dealer asking price is $14999. Is that a good price? Your Advice would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks !
The car is at a deler so I dont know who previously owned it.

A: You can ask the salesman who the previous owner was, it will take him 2 minutes to check the deal jacket in the office. resistance here would be a red flag for me. It may have been on the road closer to 3 1/2 years.

sporty turbo car……would want to determined what kind of life it had…..are stock tires replaced with cheap dealer installed ones?

Look at paint closely…give it a good test drive, he may want to take it around the block once, but i’d want to hear that motor as it builds to near red line, feel it at 70 75 on the hiway any vibrations…listen

does shifter go into gear fast and smooth? Does the clutch grab the friction plate like a pit bull, or can you feel it let go a little.

engage the brakes at different speeds, does the pedal go down really far., its there any wheel shake.

Ok ….this is a deal where a $50 mechanic inspection is a good idea. The mileage is high but not a deal breaker, Subies are tuff little buggers.

I would ABSOLUTLY bargain this guy to the wall if i wanted that car……ready for Bear…..We don’t know what $ he has in it.

Q: Where can I find a Subaru WRX Engine for cheap?
I have a 2002 Subaru WRX and I need to replace the Engine. Does anyone know where I can find one (used is okay) in good condition with not too many miles on it in the Chicagoland area or online?
okay yeah I know ebay and craigslist, i’m talkin about other places that aren’t so obvious.
Oh! And some guy I work with was telling me about some website that I guess imports used engines from japan because they discard them or something like that after a certain amount of miles due to some law…does anyone know what he’s talking about lol

A: Check craigslist or forums below. There is one near me for $1500 with 40k miles. 4 hours away from you though.

Q: How much for a 2007 subaru wrx sti engine and where to get it?
How much for a 2007 subaru wrx sti engine and where can i get it brand new or used? And how much should labor be for swapping the new one in

A: I can’t give you an exact dollar figure but I would imagine it is quite expensive. This engine gets worse gas mileage then most V8’s, I don’t know if that is of any concern to you. To answer your question you may want to contact Subaru of America.

Hey “tonuprocker”, whatever that means? Stop being so foolish to believe everything that Subaru publishes, using unrealistic testing parameters! Try spending some time reading “unbiased” publications that publish real world WRX mileage at no more then 17-19 MPG on average using “premium” fuel no less.

Q: What should i expect to get by installing a HKS Down Pipe to my 2004 Subaru WRX?
I just bought a HKS Downpipe for my 2004 Subaru WRX. What can i expect to gain out of the installment?
For Example:
Will i get more horsepower? If i do get more horsepower, how much horsepower should i be expecting to get out of it?
Will it sound louder?

A: about 15-20 hp with out a ecu tune. but you need to watch out for boost spikes.

Q: saleen s7……..?
okay so the Saleen is one of my favorite supercars well pretty much the only one i actually like, but ive always wanted to know if they run a ford v8 or what. ive never been able to figure it out. thanks.

A: Saleen has almost always been a Ford tuning company. they are expanding to other makes. Steve Saleen started modifying Ford Mustangs in the 80s.

Q: What is the best gearing for a saleen S7 for top speed and acceleration?
I am looking for a good way to gear a Saleen S7.

A: I’m not sure what the Saleen S7 has stock or what year you have. but if i’m looking correctly the 2001 S7 6 speed has 3.22 gears?????? If so or your stock gears are close to this, you could possible go with 3.73 maybe 3.90’s but not 4.10’s or 4.11’s” would be way to tall I think and suck for a daily driver, 1st and 2nd gear would be usless.

My opinion is to get rid of the Mustang and get a Z06 vette! no need for gear change! hehe, I’m just a Chevy guy pay me no mind!

Q: What is the body composition of a Saleen S7?
Specifically, I’m looking for the Saleen S7 Twin Turbo. I can find a lot of information of the car and how it runs. However, I cannot find anything on what it is made of. Anyone who can tell me or give me point in the right direction, it would be greatly apprieciated.

A: It has aluminum honeycomb impact absorbing panels in the front and rear crumple zones with carbon fiber rocker panels and doors. It has a 4130 lightweight steel space frame.

heres a site that has more info on what its body composition is

http://www.saleen.com/saleen_s7_specs.htm

Q: How much would a saleen s7 cost in us dollars?
i have to do this thing 4 school with ur dream house and dream car so does any1 know how much a saleen s7 would cost?

A: Here is a link for a Saleen dealer that has some for sale (maybe):

http://www.saleenbroker.com/index.htm#

Q: How many Saleen s7 are in the world?
How many Saleen s7 are in the world?How expensive are they?Were are they most popular? Who owned the first one?

A: they have a very limited production and cost a half million dollars..
http://www.saleen.com/saleen_s7_main.htm

Q: Saleen S7?
Can you give me facts about this car and a website? 10 points for the one with the most interesting fact!

A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saleen_S7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H1KfoJbaH0

Q: How fast does a Saleen s7 go?
The s7 i mean is not the Mustang Saleen.

A: 750 horsepower @ 6300 rpm. 248 mph is the fastest it goes. It conceivably at 160 mph it could be driven upside down since it proudces its own weight in downforce- not proven though =)

Q: Question for car crazy people! About a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 2008, And a Saleen s7?
I want to know how much a used one will be in four years with less then 5000 miles…
I know this is a hard question but if you have a guess then Great!!
And a used Saleen s7 (2008) in four years with less then 5000 miles
Thanks to all!!!

A: All I know is the evo x is priced next 4-5 years is about 24-26k because new models will be produced and for a 5000 miles in 4 years!? Maybe around 26k or 27k

Q: which car do you think is faster the porsche carerra Gt or a saleen s7?
I think that top speed maybe the saleen but the porsche is more reliable. Therefore, the porsche will probably win. The saleen will fall apart

A: I don’t think in terms of technology, that is even apples to oranges.

One is Saturn 5, the other is Estes.

Q: how much would it cost to rent a SALEEN S7 for our wedding night?
Me and my fiance both are really into cars, imports, American muscle, supercars, everything, so we want to leave our reception in an S7 instead of the traditional limo or classic. How much would it cost to rent one for the night. Would anyone know how much a Bugatti Veyron be? (to rent it, not to buy)

A: my fiance is big into cars… he says probably $1000 for the S7, and more for the Bugatti. I shouldn’t have asked him, haha, now he’s talking about how cool that would be!

But you’d have more trouble just finding a place that has one available to rent

Q: How do you go about buying a Saleen S7?
Where and how do you find one?

A: www.Saleen.com

Contact them and order one.

Q: Where can i rent a Saleen S7 for a day?
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado and i want to find the nearest exotic car rental. i figured denver, but i can’t find anything online.

A: You can get 1 from here Buddy..

http://www.exclusiveautorental.com/

Q: I’m looking to purchase a Saleen S7 for my 16 year old son. Any Idea where to find one?
It’s his 16 year old birthday, and if he promised him he got straight A’s I would buy him a sports car of choice.

A: Not a great idea, for many reasons.

Still, if you want to buy one, I can arrange it for you. I’ll need proof of intent and capability beforehand, and there will be a finder’s fee, but I can get you an S7, and get it now.

Or, you can just wait for one to pop up on Ebay or in the Registry. You can also call Saleen and ask them about it. Odds are, someone there knows of one being sold. This car can go for as much as 600 grand before taxes, and even well used models are breaking 400k. You don’t just go down to the auto lot and buy one of these.

As for it’s suitability for a 16 year old, it is nonexistent. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most difficult vehicles out there to drive that is street legal. There is NO visibility, the clutch is almost a two position on/off switch, and it is capable of breaking any speed limit in the world… At 1/4 throttle.

For a more reasonable choice that almost has all the performance, and is much more fun in the real world, look into a Lotus Elise. That will set you back only 40 grand, it looks like a real supercar, and it is every bit as exotic as the Saleen.

For an even cheaper choice, the new Miata with the folding hard top can be scored for around 25 grand if you hunt carefully. I know, I know, chick car, right? Get in one and drive it. I’ve driven many, many supercars. I just sold a Ford GT that I drove extensively. That Miata is almost the perfect automobile. It can stand with any supercar out there so far as handling is concerned, it is so easy to drive it makes anyone seem like a hero, it is actually easy to get into and out of, and it is cheap.

Of course, I do not believe this question is truthful, but on the slight chance that there really is some dolt out there considering an S7 for his kid, I thought I’d give a real answer. And I really can get one, if it is needed.

Q: What would win in a 1/4 mile drag, Hayabusa or Saleen S7 Twin Turbo?
Suzuki hayabusa k9 or saleen s7 twin turbo?

A: The Saleen is an extremely fast car, but it’ll be hard pressed to beat the Hayabusa.

I predict the Hayabusa would win by about a second – maybe more. It should do sub-10 second 1/4 mile, and the Saleen should do sub-11 second 1/4 mile.

This assumes skilled drivers for both vehicles…

Q: what would it take to get a fiero fiberglass body made to look like a saleen s7?
topic? i could make one myself but i dont know where i could get a mold or a model to make a mold off of lol

A: Either tons of time, or tons of money. Take your pick.

Seeing as their isn’t currently a company that makes it…you’d have to make your own, or pay someone to do a custom job. So, either save up, or start fiberglassing.

Q: Have any detail images under the hood of a 1968 Firebird to share? Or any scale model car gallery links?
My husband and I are working on scale model cars.. He is starting a 1968 Firebird model. We have been searching the net for images of under the hood so we can fine detail and wire the engine. Close ups of the distributor especially would be great.. Original images that is… Nothing modified… So does anyone have any images or links they can share with us? We are also interested in links to all kinds of scale model car galleries as well, or any helpful and fun tips for the hobby… Thank you in advance!

A: http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2005-19,RNWE:en&q=1968+Firebird+engine

Q: will a 1975 transmission fit a 1968 firebird? How to identify model?
I have access to a 1975 firebird transmission – and my 1968 needs one – are they intercghangeable? Both engines are 350.

A: yes they are the 350 block has not changed in a zillion years

Q: 1968 pontiac firebird 17 digit vin number?
im trying to look up a vehicle history report and a 17 digit vin number is required. 1968 Firebird vin only has 13 numbers. can someone help?

A: Don’t ya just love these wise crackers? OK, if ya want to know how to decipher the vin, in your search engine type in general motors vin plate identification to decipher what your car is suppose to be about as far as engine,body style, origin of assembly( where it was made) and so forth. As far as having your vehicle evaluated there are a number of car clubs,restoration specialists,etc,etc, that can tell you if the car is a piece of junk or a good buy. Expect to pay anywhere from $75-$200 to have it checked out. Does the owner say anything about a restoration done on the car? Or if it is all original, unrestored vehicle? All this can affect the value of the vehicle. Remember that it isn’t unusual for a car of this stature to have been restored with either reproduced parts or original equipment from the manufacturer. This is a very desirable car as I’m sure you know being an F-car (Firebird/Camaro) but this is how you go about evaluating a “Classic Muscle Car”

Q: What method is best for telling apart a Pontiac 400 & the 350 engine from each other in a 1968 Firebird?

A: The two letter Engine Code on the block, located on metal boss on block below cylinder head kinda’ near the water pump (looking at front of engine it’s usually on your left)… For 1968 model year codes WI, WQ, WZ, XN, YT and YW are the 400’s / WC, WK, YJ and YM are the 350’s. Hope that helps…Good Luck!

If you see any other code let me know, it means that is not a 1968 engine.

Note: VIN numbers are unreliable as they only tell you what the configuration of the car was when built…remember this is a 42 year old car, who knows what has been done to it.

Q: Can I add an electric fan to my 1968 Firebird to help with dditional cooling, especially in rush hour traffic.
This car stays cool when it is running around, but stop and go traffic, yikes the temp gauge just keeps climbing. Would adding an electric fan and mounting it on the ouside of the radiator in combination of the existing fan function the way I would like? I plan on adding an additional switch to turn it on when needed.

A: Yes, that will work provided you have the room to fit it in there.

Q: What is the mpg rating of a stock 1968 pontiac firebird 400 motor?
I wanted to know so i would know what all i could do to my car without dipping to low in the mpg range, thank you.

A: wow this people dont know what there talking about, i got a 69 gto with a 68 gto 400 and its gets 18mpg in town. thats with stock cam and new gaskets. so the firebird should get 15-18 if its in good shape

Q: Where can i find the hood release on a 1968 pontiac firebird?
I can’t find the hood release on it and i dont think it is under the front license plate can anyone help?

A: Under what most owners call the Nose… Pull Hand bar.
Pull it out , hood clicks and pops up …
2nd release:
at the same time, push the hood down litely (don’t shut it)
as your pulling the Hood release. you will feel it let go.
They pull it open with both hands.

Its a little different than the GTO but same spot.

Q: Who had a Factory 1968 Pontiac Firebird with 428 cid engine?
This car did 1/4 mile in 6.94 second s @ 215.5 MPH, with Pure Pontiac “428″ cid engine, and added blower!
If you knew how to use a Pontiac Order Form, you could get any engine you wanted Factory, that is why Pontiac Ruled!
Remember Arnie Beswick was an independant racer, he knew how to fill out the forms, he got those engines in his cars!

A: Arnie did not have a 68 Firebird. He was running GTO’s back then.

He ran that particular time you mention in 1972, with a 1972 Trans Am Funny Car body, not a 1968 Firebird.

I could get you a picture of that car if you’d like, but I’m sure you could find it yourself at his website, I’ll list it below.

Q: Would it be possible to install a Hydrogen engine into for example a 1968 Pontiac Firebird?
I know it’s an out of the ordinary idea but would it be possible?

A: No.

But you might have deep pockets and drive this Firebird long and far enough to break even..who knows.

———————-

Is it possible to build your own refueling station right now? Absolutely! With enough time and money you could buy solar panels, an industrial electrolyzer and a FuelMaker and assemble a system for refueling in your garage! Will it be cheap to be the first one on your block with a solar-hydrogen refueling fuel station? Not a chance. Our scientifically engineered Excel chart showing the cost benefit-relationship for such a project indicates you’d have to put about 1,567,291.03 miles, (your mileage may vary) on a vehicle to break even on the refueling station costs!

Q: 1968 Pontiac Firebird Fuse Block Diagram?
I need to check the fuses on my 1968 Pontiac Firebird but I have no diagram for the fuse block, which makes identifying the various fuses rather difficult. Can someone please direct me to a diagram or make one up for me? Thanks.

A: The Haynes manuals have excellent wiring diagrams and you can buy them at almost any auto parts store for around $20.00.

Q: how many 1968 HO Firebird Convertibles with auto trans were produced?
Sorry, the engine is a 350

A: I am not at home, so I cannot give you better numbers than this from my imperfect memory. Plus, I am taking my computer to be fixed, so I may not be able to edit this message with more accurate info.

The Firebird HO is rarer than a Firebird 400, although most people don’t realize that. I think about 3000 HOs were built in both bodystyles, although I can’t tell you whether an automatic is rarer than a manual – when it comes to hi-po Pontiac engines, automatics are usually rarer, but the 350HO is not your average performance Pontiac anyway.

So, to throw out a guess, less than 500 HO ragtops were built, and maybe half of them were automatics, with the 3-speed coming in next, and the 4-speed being the rarest.

I should point out this car should not be confused with the Firebird 400 with the 400HO engine, which sometimes confounds even true-blue Pontiac people!

Q: Wilwood offers 2 caliper brackets for the rear disc conversion kit for my 1968 firebird, which will fit?
My 1968 Pontiac Firebird has the original 10 bolt rear end, Wilwood offers a 2.75″ offest caliper bracket and a 2.81″ caliper bracket and i need to know which kit to order. Apparently, Chevy made 2 different 10 bolt rear ends in 68 and i don’t know which kit will fit the one i have, i’d appreciate any help

A: as long as you dont have the calipers and dic-scs yet just pick 1 and get the calipers and discs to match…we used the big offset on our racecar and worked fine

Q: 1968 pontiac firebird fuel pump?
my friend has a 1968 pontiac firebird with a 350 and wants to find out if the fuel pump is going but he cant find it does anyone know where it is located?

A: follow a fuel line from top of motor most will be on right side lower front of motor and if its bad car wil not run at all check your fuel filter as well want to get pump pull a fuel line give motr a bump see fuel squirt it works

type into search box

how to remove fuel pump 1968 firebird
how to check fuel pump

can give a tip when installing it grease push rod push it back up in motor to hold it in place while you slide pump back in

Q: what is the fastest engine that could fit in a 1991 camaro rs, Plymouth Hemi, or a 1968 pontiac firebird?
one engine for every car

A: You could probably get a 427 Corvette engine into them with some modifications to the fender wells and perhaps the firewall. Maybe even the 454 if you sacrifice the hood. But in terms of the “fastest”, do you mean 0 to 60 or top speed? Each of those will depend on the gear ratio of your rear end and type of transmission. No simple answer here.

Q: How to tell the difference between 68 Camaro & 68 Firebird (disguised as a Camaro)
As many car hunters may have seen, some people have converted Firebirds into Camaros. All it really takes is maybe an engine swap, and some NOS sheet metal, and your Firebird is now a Camaro “clone”. And, as you may have already known, Camaros are worth a lot more than Firebirds of the same year.

I myself am looking at 1st gen Camaros, particularly the 1968 model.

Here’s my question:

Is there a way to tell the difference between a 1968 Camaro and a 1968 Firebird (Camaro “clone”) via VIN or Cowl tags?

I’ve seen pics of Firebirds that are identical to their Camaro cousins, but there must be a way to tell the difference aside from the aesthetics of the car.

Just asking so I don’t get ripped off buying a Camaro that’s really a Firebird.

Thanks!

A: Get the vin number from the plate on the bottom drivers side corner of the dash as it isn’t hard to replace the ones on the doors and make sure this one matches the door plates. The first 2 digits on a camaro vin will be 12 but on a firebird it will be 22 also the 7th digit is the model year it will be 7=1067 8=1968 and 9-1969 hope this helps ps get on the internet and look for 1st gen camaro site there are a bunch of them and the have alot of useful info try (http://www.chevy-camaro.com) also make sure the vin matches the car (engine, coupe-convert., and year)

Q: What is the difference between a 1967 Pontiac gto and a 1967 Pontiac gto lemans?
I am about to buy a 1967 Pontiac GTO and I dont know if its a lemans or not? the guy is selling it for $8,500 is this a good deal?
A 1967 Pontiac Lemans not a 1967 Pontiac gto lemans
OK IT HAS A 400cu engine and its a convertible
it was for sale by owner and it dosent say gto or lemans
the car says Pontiac gto

A: While it’s true the GTO was the only one of the A-bodies to get the 400, this won’t determine if it’s a GTO since you haven’t told us what engine you’ve found (if any) in the GTO.

However, the VIN will determine whether it’s a GTO. For 1967, it could be one of three:

242077—- (Sport Coupe, which has the B-pillar between the side windows)
242177—- (Hardtop Coupe, which has no B-pillar)
242677—- (Convertible)

(The rest of the numbers after what’s listed above won’t be pertinent for the moment.)

If these check out, it’s *most likely* a 1967 GTO . . . but people have been known to fake cars. That’s why Pontiac Historical Services is your best bet to know how your car was originally equipped:

http://www.phs-online.com/

Values vary depending on what the original engine was. Top engine – less than 800 made – was the Ram Air rated at 360 hp and only equipped with 4.33 gears. Hence, it’s hard to determine a value without looking at the car and without knowing what 400 the car originally had.

Good luck!

Q: Would the pontiac GTO 1967 motor fit on my transmisson i have?
My car is a Buick Lesabre 1968 and it has the original transmission…..and i am putting a GTO 1967 engine in there….V8 6.6L 400

would it fit….they told me it would but im not sure…..

A: The bolt pattern to attach it to the motor should be the same, but it sounds like you might have some trouble with the starter.

Q: So I’ve got a 1967 GTO with a poniac 350 in it. should I switch to Chevy? What can i do with the pontiac?
So I’ve got a 1967 GTO with a poniac 350 in it. should I switch to Chevy? What can i do with the pontiac?

A: the orginal enigne would be a 400. the pontiac 350 didnt come out till 68. the cool thing about pontiac engines are that they all have the same external size. in other words a 326 is the same size as a 455. with that being said you can easilly drop in a 389, 421, 428, or 455. it is true that you can build up a 350 pontiac but most choose to start with a 389 or higher due to the fact that more power can be had out of them. just do your research first before you buy your first part. and putting a chevy engine in it would just be wrong.

Q: How would my GTO 1967 engine responde to a electric turbo from Thorton?
I mean they say the turbo works!!

I am planning to do it….im reciving a lill 2 much gas so i guess with a lill extra air flow it would be good ryt?

Its the Thorton Electric Turbo!

Or give me any suggestions for those turbos? Witch are best?

A: the thornton concept is a waist of your money. it could actually restrict the air. A turbcharger is called the free horsepower device because it uses the exhaust to push the turbine and draw in additional air. the system though sounding simple isn’t all that simple. too large a turbo and you pop the heads off the block, too little and you can loose power due to back presure, your compression should be aprx 10.0 -1 and this would require a waiste gate. if done correctly a turbo could indeed provide wonderful performance but remember a tired engine wont like more power.

Q: How can i have a Pontiac GTO 1967 in india?
I really like this car and really want to have it india. But i dont have any idea how to do that. Any suggestions.

A: To tell you the truth, your best bet may be to see if there’s one in Australia. They have a vibrant US auto scene and it’s a hell of a lot closer to India than the US. I am not aware of the auto trader-style magazines out in Oz, but I’m sure with a small search on the Internet, you should be able to find some resources. I have a magazine from Oz called Unique Cars – could they have a site? Indeed they do!

http://www.uniquecarsales.com.au/

Having one shipped is another undertaking, but I’m sure now that you know of another place to look, you may have better luck getting the car of your dreams.

Q: What diference would it make on putting this force-flow 4x turbo on my 1967 GTO Pontiac 400 ho engine?
This is the turbo http://www.force-flow.com/default.aspx

Would i need to make for changes to my car?

A: perhaps some hp at the crank, but quite frankly nothing that will be noticeable at any range at the wheels(get – go or mid range cruising).
great engine , but quite frankly to add power will take a lot of $$….. this solid block responds well to the following:

-headers

http://www.butlerperformance.com/products/headers/dougs_headers.html

-performance exhaust….others available

http://pypesexhaust.com/gallery21.html

-performance heads (edelbrock may be best)

http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/tech/hppp_0811_1967_pontiac_gto_400_engine_build/photo_10.html

and preferably installation of stroker kit (forged internals/performance rings), race cam and a re tune of your carb.

this tech article will more clearly define where you can go with your engine….but i guarantee you will get zip all from the ram air intake:

http://www.highperformancepontiac.com/tech/hppp_0811_1967_pontiac_gto_400_engine_build/index.html

Q: What would be better An MSD box or a MSD distribuidor for more power? 1967 GTO PONTIAC!!?
Hi….

My car has stock ignition….. i mean i have Msd plug wires and an MSD Blaster 2 coil….so the distribuidor is stock…..i was wondering if whats better……

An msd 6200 or a lill newer or a good distribuidor!

A: Well, your distributor can’t be the stock breaker point style and really be able use or benefit from that coil (too much juice for the points and must add extra ballast resistors). An upgrade to a H.E.I. type distributor has probably been installed at some time in the past. Keep in mind that no coil, box, or distributor is going to add Horsepower or Torque…they can’t, it is impossible. The 1967 GTO with the 400 cu. in. / 335 HP engine, # 670 heads (72 cc chambers, 2.11/1.77 valves), the 9786286 intake manifold and the 9779066 cam was a masterpiece of Pontiac engineering. I would highly recommend Jim Hands book “How to Build Max Performance Pontiac V-8s” to you. It is the Holy Bible of Pontiac Muscle Car enthusiasts and owners. There you will find track tested and proven advice, tips and techniques. Much better than listening to suggestions from somebody that wouldn’t know a ‘67 GTO if it ran them over in the street.

Q: What engines can i put in a 1967 GTO?
I wanted to buy a used 67 GTO that needs a new engine so i wanted a list of engines with their HP and torque i could put in it and how fast i could get in them

A: Depending on your budget.

Any 400 421 428 455 would be great in a 67 GTO

Me I would find a 428 to put in it, Its like having 400 with a 455 crank. Great for the 66 67 year models very buildable for across the board power. Oh I have one. I also have a YF 400 335 hp

You can build what you want out of each CI motor.
If your shopping for a motor by Horse Power remember you can build most to what you want.

If you find a Motor and you get the codes off the block and or heads I have a list of 90% of all of them. WT YZ YS etc head codes like 62 48 16 13 also…

Best 400 motors are 67 68 69 70 71 before B151
All 421s from 65 66
All 428s from 67 68 69
455 ’s from 69 70 71 …
Then 455 ’s from 72 to 76

Now if you have unlimited funds Just go buy a Jim Butler motor. Link

http://www.jbp-pontiac.com/

you can buy a motor on monday and install it the next week ! and they have Horse Power options.

Last if you can find any Ram Air or Super Duty motors and can afford them they would be best to buy and sell to pay for a Jim Butler motor.

Like 67HO 68 Ram Air I, Ram Air II
69 Ram Air III, Ram Air IV, Ram Air V (3 versions) rare
70 Ram Air III, Ram Air IV or 455 or 455 HO
71 455 HO 455
72 455 HO 455
73 455 SUPER DUTY 455 HO 455 400 4bl
74 455 SD
75 76 SD
All these are rare but worth the money if you can afford them

Will get horse power list later.

Q: How much is a 1967 ponitac GTO blue conviertible worth?
My dad has one and wants to find out how much it’s worth????? thanks:)

A: Need to see a picture to give best value… ebay is not a good place to get a value…

VIN Must be a 24267 ……. Not a 23567…… or 23767……

If he has Ram Air option ADD 50% of value back to total.
Yes Ram Air is very rare in 67.

Scale book value is not set in stone but goes like this

#1 … 52500.00
Showroom New unrestored or Restore to showroom condition or over restored

#2 … 35700 to 40000
Not perfect but close as you can get or resto-mod hot rod

#3 … 22400 to 25000
Daily driver, dirty under hood under car, but great ar still NO rust, no dents

#4 9200 to 12000
Ruff daily driver, little rust spots needs top replaced orginal paint dents dings over all needs restored

#5 5000 to 6000
Same as 4 but more rust, or orginal motor gone, trans and motor out of another car, top bad, bad trunk and quarter panels, wrecked but clear title, etc… missing parts

#6 1800 to 2200
PARTS car with title, Shell, might roll, But no Rust to firewall if just shell. Rusted out parts car with orginal motor …

No title #6 800 to 1000

Also if you look at what other are selling for stick with 66 and 67 Real GTO’s No clones or tributes .. those have GTO hoods and rear light panel installed.

…

Q: What diference would it make if i would shave my Pontiac GTO 1967 Heads?I cant afford new heads!?
Well i cant afford new heads so they told me that i should shave the heads…that made some diference….i have a garage near bythey say they have done it and its good!!

But i want you to tell me if its a big difference….

A: when you shave the heads, you decrease the size of the combustion chamber, increasing the compression ratio. because of the year, you are smog exempt. you should feel a difference off the line. i am curious which engine you have. i have a ‘68 with an ho 400.

Q: What diference would it make if i would shave my Pontiac GTO 1967 Heads? I cant afford new ones!?
Well i cant afford new heads so they told me that i should shave the heads…that made some diference….i have a garage near bythey say they have done it and its good!!

But i want you to tell me if its a big difference….

A: I zero-decked my block, but I made a whole list of modifications during my rebuild, so I can’t single out results from just that.

Have you thought about zero-decking your block?

Q: Whats the best Part or parts i can buy for $500? For my 1967 Pontiac GTO? For more power?
I was planning on the Force flow 4x turbo but i want your answers first!

A: Have you switched to synthetic blinker fluid?

This is a very silly place to ask 67 GTO technical questions. The internets has forums that specialize in 60’s GTO’s, or more broadly, 60’s Pontiacs, where people would be talking about this all the time.

Q: does anybody know anybody that has 1967 pontiac gto parts of parts car that they want to get rid of?
i am restoing one and need parts and i will even buy a hole car as long as there are good parts on it.

A: I got a parts car that i am selling. and other parts. email me if you are interested

Q: which car should i get 1967 GTO clone with a 400 or a 1968 mustang with a 351w?
no answers like get a new car or any other car choices plz these are the two cars i wont and new cars suck as compared 2 classic muscle

A: GTO all the way.

Q: Is it possibte to put a supercharger on a 1967 Pontiac GTO? 400/6.6L V8?
I have looked over the internet and i cant find anything….if yes give me some links please!! Thx
Or turbos, anything, but give me links

A: Sure, but if it is not a 4 bolt main engine it will not take the stress.
Not even limited to 7 PSI…

If you have a 2 bolt sb better to mount a 6 pack on it, that is the max that bottom end will support for any length of time.

Q: Pontiac GTO??????????????????????????????????
why did they stop making new pontiac gto’s????????? will they make any more?

A: Supposedly, because the Holden it was designed from didn’t meet more stringent American safety specs, and GM decided it wasn’t worth the extra cost of reworking the American version for a car that wasn’t selling well. Or that the Holden was being redesigned, and GM decided it wasn’t worth creating the left-hand drive version for America. That’s two of the versions of the story I’ve heard, and in either case, it all comes down to cost. GM wasn’t making enough on GTOs to have it be worth the money invested.

Originally it was that Holden was discontinuing the car that the GTO was based on, but I think now they were referring to a redesign that GM was unwilling to carry over to the American version.

Q: How much would it cost for me to get a Pontiac GTO?
I don’t have a license, but I’m planning on changing that within the next few months, & (assuming the regulations go along with it) I’d like to get a Pontiac GTO. How much would that cost me?
I’m not interested in a particular year, but I do like that car.

A: Vehix.com
Craigslist.org
Ebay.com

It could cost from $2,000 to $70,000.

Q: What trims does the 2006 Pontiac GTO come in?
Im looking into buying a 2006 Pontiac GTO and I can only find ones with the trim “basic”. Are there more and if so what are they?

A: The 2006 Pontiac GTO only really came in one trim level with very few options. The most important decision you’ll have to make is manual or automatic transmission. No sunroof or NAV system was available.

Q: What is the difference between a 1967 Pontiac gto and a 1967 Pontiac gto lemans?
I am about to buy a 1967 Pontiac GTO and I dont know if its a lemans or not? the guy is selling it for $8,500 is this a good deal?
A 1967 Pontiac Lemans not a 1967 Pontiac gto lemans
OK IT HAS A 400cu engine and its a convertible
it was for sale by owner and it dosent say gto or lemans
the car says Pontiac gto

A: While it’s true the GTO was the only one of the A-bodies to get the 400, this won’t determine if it’s a GTO since you haven’t told us what engine you’ve found (if any) in the GTO.

However, the VIN will determine whether it’s a GTO. For 1967, it could be one of three:

242077—- (Sport Coupe, which has the B-pillar between the side windows)
242177—- (Hardtop Coupe, which has no B-pillar)
242677—- (Convertible)

(The rest of the numbers after what’s listed above won’t be pertinent for the moment.)

If these check out, it’s *most likely* a 1967 GTO . . . but people have been known to fake cars. That’s why Pontiac Historical Services is your best bet to know how your car was originally equipped:

http://www.phs-online.com/

Values vary depending on what the original engine was. Top engine – less than 800 made – was the Ram Air rated at 360 hp and only equipped with 4.33 gears. Hence, it’s hard to determine a value without looking at the car and without knowing what 400 the car originally had.

Good luck!

Q: Where to get a 1973 Pontiac gto supercharger?
My dad bought a 1973 pontiac GTO and I want to try and find a supercharger/ a supercharger kit to put on it. Any ideas of where i can get it. Or what can i do to make it faster?

A: paxton superchargers

or

procharger superchargers

Q: Does anyone own a new Pontiac GTO. If so how do you like it, does the engine run strong. What are the pros a
Does anyone own a new Pontiac GTO. If so how do you like it, does the engine run strong. What are the pros and cons. I am thinking about getting one.

A: There is no such thing! 2006 was the last year for the two door Holden Manaro shipped to the USA as a GTO. My 2006 six speed manual with 18″ tires and less than 16,000 miles. I have cold air intake K&N, GMMripshifter, Hodgekiss Sway bars, SLP lould mouth exhaust and SLP’s Predatior Power programer. I installed more aggressive Bridgstone RE-010R tires. Good for about 13.7 mpg in town average speed 28 miles an hour and over 25mpg on the highway at just under 70 mph. Torque this car could pull down trees! Power you can select any three gears during normal driving. Top speed limiter is gone with the programmer and I haven’t seen the top speed yet just over 150 so far actual speed. Great brakes for a stock car very good seats hold you in on corners. I think a four speed automatic in this car would be a mistake gas milage would suffer. Come on Join the GTO crowd! Just a word of warning these cars are fast and powerful. Take a performance driving school learn your limits and the cars handling before exercising your right foot in traffic with traction control turned off.

Q: When did the first Pontiac GTO Judge roll out?
Pontiac suprised the world with the debut of the 1964 Pontiac GTO in September 1963. When did the first Pontiac GTO “Judge” roll out.

A: The Judge was introduced in 1969.

Q: Pontiac gto?
will the 2005 be worth more money with age

A: after 20 years or so it may go up in value in the mean time it will go down

Q: pontiac gto?
i wana get on i got a nice down pay ment bt…….. about how much do they cast? and to make sure it has a 6.0 rite

A: It is a fast car. it was discountinued due to slow sales because the styling was not edgy enough. New, it cost around $33000.

Q: What color was the inside of a 1965 Pontiac GTO?
I know Pontiac put an insulated pad on the inside of a 1965 GTO, but I am not sure if the sheet metal was painted black or the color of the car.

A: My Regimental Red ‘67 has a black dash pad and black painted sheetmetal. Of course, it also has the black interior (carpet, seats, door panels, etc.). My ‘64 – same thing.

I have a model of a ‘65 on my desk with a parchment interior with a black dash, if that helps!

Q: Need advice on tinting windows on black Pontiac GTO?
I want to tint my windows on my black Pontiac GTO. The state law here says I can go no darker than 30 percent. I don’t really know what that means. Will 30 percent look good on a black GTO or would it be a waste of money? Please help!

A: if u want the windows dark then 30% tint will be a waste of money because its too light. 30% will look good if u want a light tint on ur car. If u wanna get a dark tint then get at least 20% or lower. I have 20% on my black car and its dark but u can still see inside. In my state (Wisconsin) the limits are 50% on front and 35% on back and I’ve never been pulled over.

Q: What is your opinion about the Pontiac GTO?
Hey guys, just wondering your opinion about the new pontiac GTO’s.

I’m thinking of buying one but I have to decide between a GTO, a 350z, a VR4 or an LSE

So just gimme your opinion on the GTO

A: The performance of the new GTO’s is darn good. The interior is nice and comfortable. The #1 downfall of this car is the rear end looks like a cavalier and the front looks like a Grand Am. I work with a guy who had the 350HP model. The last year they sent them out with the 400HP. SLP has a huge offering of “Go Fast” parts to make this car run with the best.

Q: Can the ABS modulator on an ‘05 Pontiac GTO be bypassed?
I own a 2005 Pontiac GTO and just recently found out that it needs a new ABS modulator..The brakes currently do not work…But the new ABS modulator is $3,100..Can the ABS modulator be Bypassed?

A: go to the junk yard, better known as the auto recycler, ask for a cross reference for a recycled abs modulator…or, spring for the 31 hun-sorry, no way around it, can’t redo the brakes due to limitations by the feds…get used to it, or buy an older car…

Q: What’s a good turbocharger for a 2006 Pontiac GTO?
I was looking for a good turbocharger for a pontiac GTO 2006 V8 6.0L LS2 engine. If someone could refer me to a dealer, I live in the bay area, or a website that be great. Also could I fit turbo’s on there?
* I mean can I fit twin turbo’s on there?

A: STS offers great systems. They are rear mounted systems that work very well for a street car, and race car alike. Here is their website: http://ststurbo.com/

Have fun.

Q: why did pontiac only remake the gto for 3 years?
the pontiac gto is the best muscle car there is. was it just not popular? were sales just low?

A: because it sucked.